Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has issued new guidance on where campervans and motorhomes can legally park and spend the night, addressing a long-standing source of confusion for travelers. The update comes as summer travel peaks, with thousands of people choosing to explore the country by camper or converted van. The guidance distinguishes parking a vehicle from using public space as a campsite, while leaving local authorities with powers over parking and land use.
Under the revised rules, a campervan or motorhome that is properly parked, occupying only the space needed for the vehicle and resting on its wheels, is treated as parked rather than camping, provided it does not discharge fluids or deploy external equipment. These vehicles can park wherever a regular car is allowed, as long as they follow local parking regulations. Occupants may remain inside and sleep overnight; sleeping in the vehicle alone does not turn a lawful parking stay into camping.
The distinction between parking and camping depends on how the vehicle and surrounding space are used. Extending an awning can amount to camping. The same may apply when occupants set out tables or chairs, or otherwise use space beyond the vehicle’s normal footprint; such activity may be restricted to designated areas. The DGT’s national traffic interpretation does not create an unrestricted right to park everywhere: municipal rules, traffic restrictions and controls for protected areas still apply.
S-128: New Sign for Waste Disposal
Alongside the parking clarification, the DGT has introduced the S-128 sign to mark authorized points where campervans and motorhomes can dispose of wastewater. The sign is intended to help drivers find facilities equipped to receive grey water and toilet waste. Discharging fluids onto roads or parking areas is a separate matter from whether the vehicle is parked lawfully. The same applies to drainage systems and natural land, where releasing fluids can breach sanitation or environmental rules even when parking is permitted.
Included in the latest 2025 update to Spain’s official road sign catalogue, the S-128 sign identifies disposal points for these vehicles. Standardizing the sign should make compliant locations easier to recognize as more travelers choose the campervan lifestyle.
Local Authority Powers Remain
Municipalities retain powers to regulate urban mobility, including parking turnover, and to control public-space use and access to sensitive areas. They can set maximum parking durations or prohibit camping outside designated zones, so travelers should check local signs and regulations as well as the DGT’s national guidance. In practice, travelers need to check whether traffic rules allow the vehicle to park and whether local regulations permit it to remain there. They must also use an authorized facility for wastewater disposal.
ITV Inspection Rules Updated
The DGT has also clarified technical inspection (ITV) requirements. Motorhomes registered as category M vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first four years, must be inspected every two years until they reach ten years old, and annually thereafter. Some campervans homologated as category N goods vehicles face stricter rules, requiring inspections as often as every six months after ten years of age.
Context and Practical Impact
These changes come as Spain sees a surge in demand for flexible travel, with more people choosing campervans over traditional accommodation. The DGT’s specialist publication, Revista Tráfico y Seguridad Vial, has reported that Spain is short of approximately 2,000 motorhome areas. The estimate points to a gap in designated infrastructure, from places to obtain water to facilities for emptying grey and black water and disposing of waste. A shortage of serviced areas can add pressure to ordinary parking spaces, making clear rules on parking, public-space use and sanitation especially impressive.
The new guidance is intended to reduce confusion for Spanish and foreign travelers while helping protect public spaces and the environment. For those considering a different type of vehicle for their adventures, a recent comparison of top compact SUVs under €50,000 highlights the value and comfort traditional cars offer for road trips. See the full analysis here.
